Smooch beside the Neptune Fountain in the romantic sculpture gardens at the Palazzo Vecchio, wander down the Vittolone, an avenue of cypress trees in the sprawling, statue-filled Boboli Gardens near Palazzo Pitti.

Discover the world renowned Uffizi Gallery and Renaissance masterpieces in all their original glory: Michelangelo's statues of Bacchus and David, Botticelli's ‘The Birth of Venus’ and Titian's ‘The Venus of Urbino,’ to name only a few.

Savour a rich, creamy gelato at Bar Vivoli Gelateria or sip a cappuccino on Piazza della Signoria and do a spot of people watching.

Haggle for leather goods at the Mercato di San Lorenzo, browse the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio bridge and take a day trip into the timeless beauty of Tuscany’s rolling countryside to explore renellated palazzos and ancient piazzas.

Where to stay

Florence offers newlyweds an excellent choice of accommodation options for every taste and budget, including the following 5-star hotels…

Four Seasons Hotel FirenzeLocation: Borgo Pinti 99, San Marco - Santissima Annunziata, FlorenceRating: 5-star Ave nightly price: AUD3,511 per suite Description: Offering a 2-floor spa and Michelin-star restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is next to the botanical gardens of Giardino della Gherardesca. It offers a wide range of luxury rooms and suites. Spacious and bright, the rooms successfully combine Renaissance décor with a wide range of modern facilities. You will have an LCD TV, DVD player, bathrobes and slippers. The Four Seasons is composed of 2 buildings, the 15th-century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the ex 16th-century convent, La Villa. There are 4.5 hectares of beautiful gardens in between them. The spa features 9 beauty treatment rooms, a Turkish bath and gym. It opens out onto the upper terrace with pool and hot tub. The hotel's main restaurant, Il Palagio, uses local produce to create the finest Tuscan dishes. With such a central location, you are 15 minutes' walk from Florence Cathedral and the art galleries, the Uffizi and Accademia.

J.K. Place FirenzeLocation: Piazza Santa Maria Novella 7, Santa Maria Novella, FlorenceRating: 5-star Ave nightly price: AUD1,790 per room Description: Just a 7-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella Basilica, J.K. Place enjoys superb panoramic views from its rooftop terrace. It has a sit-down restaurant, free Wi-Fi and luxurious rooms with design features. Rooms at the 5-star J.K. Place are stylish and elegant, and decorated with unique features. Each comes equipped with a satellite flat-screen TV and a DVD player. Some rooms overlook the hotel's gallery or the terrace. A large breakfast is served in the glass-domed courtyard. J.K. Lounge is open until 10:30 pm daily and is ideal for lunch, afternoon tea or an aperitif. A rich menu of Tuscan and Italian cuisine is served for dinner. Santa Maria Novella Train Station is a 5-minute walk from the property. A guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery is available, as well as chauffeurs for wine tours of the Chianti region.

Portrait Firenze Location: Lungarno Acciaiuoli, 4, Uffizi, FlorenceRating: 5-star Ave nightly price: AUD1,452 per suite Description: Featuring panoramic views of Florence and the Arno River, Portrait Firenze offers luxurious rooms with handcrafted furniture. This hotel is 30 m from the famous bridge Ponte Vecchio. The suites come with full entertainment systems including an iPad, iPod docking station, and flat-screen TV. Bathrobes, slippers, and free toiletries are provided in the Carrara marble bathroom. Guests can enjoy free access to the nearby White Iris Beauty Spa of the sister hotel Continentale, beauty treatments by Comfort Zone at the spa are available at extra costs. Your room has a minibar, but you can also enjoy a cocktail downstairs in the club lounge. The kitchenette is fully equipped and includes a dishwasher and coffee machine. Piazza della Signoria is a 5-minute walk from the property, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is 600 m away. The property is a non-smoking property.

The St. Regis FlorenceLocation: Piazza Ognissanti 1, Santa Maria Novella, FlorenceRating: 5-star Ave nightly price: AUD926 per room Description: Right on the Arno River with stunning views of the Ponte Vecchio, The St. Regis Florence is in a historic building designed by Brunelleschi. Featuring a Michelin-starred restaurant, this 5-star hotel features a spa and gym, and luxury rooms with antique furnishings. Each room at the St. Regis features Florentine-style furniture and marble bathrooms. Facilities include a multimedia system with movies, sports and entertainment, a digital jukebox, and free high-speed internet access. The hotel's award-winning Winter Garden by Caino serves modern dishes based on Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine. It received a Michelin star in 2014. At the bar, guests can enjoy the famous champagne ritual, care of chef Michele Giglio. Santa Maria Novella Train Station is just over a quarter mile away, and the cathedral is just over half a kilometer from the property.

Hotel Bernini Palace Location: Piazza San Firenze 29, Uffizi, FlorenceRating: 5-star Ave nightly price: AUD585 per room Description: In a 15th-century building, Hotel Bernini Palace is a 5-minute walk from Florence Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio. It features antique furniture and Murano-glass chandeliers. Some rooms are decorated in a classic style. Others feature Renaissance Florence décor with period tapestry and canopy beds. They all come equipped with a satellite flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a minibar. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Guests can enjoy the panoramic views from the terrace, furnished with tables and chairs. The stylish La Chiostrina Restaurant serves national and international dishes. The lounge bar makes excellent cocktails and a buffet breakfast is provided daily. The lobby at Bernini Palace Hotel is decorated with a mix of Italian and Moroccan styles.

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Best time to honeymoon in Florence

Anytime, but probably best in spring and early summer (May and June) and autumn (September and October), as July and August are hot and humid.

Spring and autumn average 15°C (59°F), while summer averages 27°C (80°F) with a high of 31°C (87°F) and winter (December to February) averages 8°C (46°F).

Getting to Florence

Florence lies on the River Arno and is the capital of Tuscany, a region in northern Italy that lies between the central Apennines and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The most convenient route is by air to Florence. Alternatively, you can connect via Milan or Rome. Florence is also well serviced by trains from locations throughout Italy and all the major capital cities of Europe.